Being thrown to the wolves during orientation
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I started in the ED last week and have 8 weeks of orientation. The first day I was given two rooms that I was 100 percent responsible for. The second day, I was given a full assigment with just the... Read More

Jan 30, '13

Im a new nurse and work in the ED we take anywhere from 3 - 6 rooms (6 is usually on nights). Anyways, i dont really have a preceptor i just work with whoever is there... ive worked as an ED tech for 4 years and in a level 1 trauma center (38 beds).... im at a level 4 now and only 12 room ED! it was an adjustment but i just learn to ask when i need help or have a question or am unsure what area to chart in (they have a different EHR than what ive used and they didnt train me on it since they were switching to the one ive always used 6 weeks after i started... BUt anyways its been alittle over a month since ive been there, i take 3-4 patients on my own (no one checks anything, i sometimes ask can you make sure i charted everything right...) and i try to take patients ive never had so i can ask questions when there is more staff avail to help. Usually im fine i just ask about certain medication and i will look them up in the book and refresh (since we dont remember every drug ever)... Make sure you ask when you have questions and even if they are annoyed with you who cares id rather have them annoyed that i double checked or asked a question than hurt my patient!!

I think youll be okay, and probably with your background they just assumed youd be fine...

That being said, the ED is a place that does tend to attract the "eat your young" style nurses who may be testing you to see if you have what it takes.

I guess I haven't seen this as much where I work. Yes, there are a few "experienced nurses" on our staff who are less supportive than the rest, but for the most part the nurses in my ED are supportive of each other and of new nurses. I think it stems from the teamwork that is cultivated by our director.

We all know that at some time we will be slammed and need help from the other nurses on our shift, so we all try to be there to help them when they get slammed too. I think most of us realize that the new orienting nurse is gonna be a teammate sooner than we think, and so we had better help them out so they can help us out later on.

Feb 1, '13

very unsafe

Feb 1, '13

as a prudent nurse, it is your obligation to speak up and bring this issue to your DON. you are putting your license and your patients lives in gapardy

Feb 10, '13

I have 25 years in nursing, 5 in the ER, and I wouldn't find the OP's orientation acceptable. In a new hospital you need to constantly look up policies, ask about resources, and find equipment. Everything takes at least twice as long. I would ask for 4 weeks orientation with a preceptor, and advance the assignment based on my request, not the unit's. Definitely go to your NM and tell her they need to back off. You need to be extra with a preceptor, not full staff right now.

Feb 20, '13

That's how i learned and I am a better nurse for it. They threw me into the fire but would never let me burn. I do not do well with someone hovering over me. They stayed far enough away to allow me to develop but stayed close enough so that I wouldn't kill anybody.